July 06, 2007

Cassette Culture Revisited, Part IX

I was always impressed at the amount of contributions for the Lo-Fi show that came from outside WFMU's listening area. Even in the pre-Web days, the station had a global reputation that helped tremendously to build our music library and in the same way aided in my acquisition of some exceptional rarities in music cassettes. This tape from The Sharmuta came to me from Israel, and though the original mailer and letter that came with the tape are long lost, I recall having no reason to believe that the stated origins were anything but completely legit. The music on the tape consists of three tracks of what I would call post-No Wave noisecore, similar in style at times to Mars or Missing Foundation. If there was a larger Israeli underground noise scene in the 80s, I'd sure love to hear more about it. The three tracks all run together, and have been ripped as a single mp3. The intended submissions also seem to have been recorded over one of the band's rehearsal tapes, so I include that material here as well for posterity. (Note: the track titles on the archived insert were transcribed (in my own hand) from the original letter that came with the tape.)

Tobin Karicher [pronounced care-ricker] made catchy, evocative instrumental music in a variety of styles. Returning to this tape some 20 years later, I have an even greater appreciation for the maturity, and yet beautiful simplicity, of the sonic structures employed. The tunes are reminiscent at times of Cluster, The Residents, Peter Frohmader, or Michael Rother, though whether or not Mr. Karicher consciously funneled these influences only he could say. This tape is a fine example of the care and precision that articulate the one-man-band cassette ethos; made out of necessity, though precious few would hear the end result. Today, Tobin Karicher is a successful painter residing in the Arlington, VA area.

Comments

Tobin is one of the great geniuses both in the musical composition world a s well as the visual arts world. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Savannah Georgia where he was or is still living.A very polite and somewhat quiet person that leaves an indelible impression.